4001 A.D. – Shadowman #1: The Return from the Deadside
🧬 Genre
Science Fiction 🔭, Supernatural Horror 👻, Action-Adventure ⚔️
🧑🚀 Main Characters
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Shadowman (Jack Boniface) – The resurrected voodoo-powered guardian of the Deadside, now reimagined for the 41st century.
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Rai – The rebel hero leading a resistance against the tyrannical regime of New Japan.
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Alyssa Miles – A mysterious young girl whose connection to the Deadside may alter humanity’s destiny.
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Baron Samedi – A powerful and enigmatic figure from the Deadside mythology, possibly manipulating events from the shadows.
✍️ Writer
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Jody Houser – Known for her work on Faith and Mother Panic, she brings nuance and depth to futuristic and emotional storytelling.
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Rafer Roberts – Co-writer who infuses the comic with dark humor and mythological elements, recognized for A&A: The Adventures of Archer & Armstrong.
🎨 Artist
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Robert Gill – A dynamic illustrator known for Book of Death, who brings gritty textures and haunting visuals to this future-horror epic.
🖋️ Editor
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Warren Simons – Longtime Valiant editorial leader, who helps maintain continuity and high storytelling standards across the 4001 A.D. event.
🏢 Publisher and Brand
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Valiant Comics, under the banner of its 4001 A.D. future-set crossover event.
📅 Release Year
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2016
📖 Brief Plot Summary
In the dystopian landscape of the 41st century, as Rai launches his insurrection against the floating empire of New Japan, a greater threat stirs beyond the veil of reality. The Deadside — a dimension of spirits and undead — begins to spill into the living world once more. Shadowman, once lost to myth and memory, is reborn in this dark new age. Tasked with a mission far more dangerous than ever before, he must confront ancient sorcery, rising death cults, and his own legacy. Meanwhile, a girl with mysterious ties to the Deadside may hold the key to salvation — or annihilation.
🔥 Notable Arcs or Storylines
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4001 A.D. Event Crossover – Shadowman #1 ties into the broader 4001 A.D. storyline, aligning with other Valiant heroes like Rai, X-O Manowar, and Bloodshot.
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The Resurrection of Shadowman – This issue redefines Shadowman’s mythology in a futuristic setting, blending voodoo horror with sci-fi rebellion.
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The Fate of the Deadside – Hints at a future war involving the spiritual realm that could escalate in subsequent arcs.
💭 Fan Theories or Interpretations
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Some fans speculate that the young girl introduced is a descendant of the Boniface bloodline, making her the true heir to the Shadowman legacy.
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The return of Baron Samedi raises questions about who really controls the Deadside — is Shadowman a pawn in a larger necromantic scheme?
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The comic’s merging of Rai’s techno-rebellion with voodoo mysticism suggests a thematic clash between science and spirituality, possibly foreshadowing a deeper cosmic imbalance.
🧾 Review Summary
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
4001 A.D. – Shadowman #1 is a standout one-shot that delivers both lore and lore-breaking punches. The writing team does a stellar job blending horror with futuristic dystopia, giving Shadowman new relevance in Valiant’s ever-expanding timeline. Robert Gill’s art is hauntingly beautiful — otherworldly in depicting the Deadside and vividly intense in moments of conflict. Character development is concise yet emotionally resonant, especially with the introduction of the enigmatic young girl. While it’s a tie-in, it never feels like filler — rather, it enriches the larger narrative with spiritual gravitas and eerie style. 🕯️💀✨
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
